World Governments Summit 2025: Somaliland’s defining moment on global stage

[Deeq A.]

Addis Abeba – The World Governments Summit 2025, held recently in Dubai, brought together world leaders, policymakers, and business leaders for discussions on governance in the digital age and economic expansion in a new era. Among the high-profile attendees was the President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro, whose presence underscored Somaliland’s growing influence in global politics.

Somaliland has been sustaining political stability, democratic governance, and economic potential without official recognition, a self-reliant and resilient government that is a beacon of strength in a war-torn region of conflict. The summit was not a chance waiting to happen—it was a turning point for Somaliland to deepen diplomatic engagement, attract foreign investments, and become a permanent player in regional security and business.

Diplomatic Milestone
Somaliland’s independent participation at the summit was a strategic diplomatic triumph, reaffirming it as a responsible and active member of global governance. Interaction with UAE, African, and Gulf leadership opened doors to bilateral agreements and business cooperation. The presence also countered the narrative of Somalia to isolate Somaliland in global engagement.

By highlighting its governance success story, Somaliland set a new example of a beacon of stability in a war-torn region of conflict. The summit reaffirmed a basic yet compelling reality: Somaliland is already a sovereign state in function, and its growing presence in global forums is just a stronger reason to be accepted as such.

Dubai’s advanced system of e-governance is a useful guide towards better services to the public, simplification of government, and democratic institution strengthening in Somaliland. Digital banking and fintech technologies also become a focus in Somaliland, given its existing isolation in the financial system. The summit provided a platform to negotiate partnership agreements that would allow Somaliland to be integrated into the financial system of the world.

Additionally, summit discussions also touched on artificial intelligence (AI) and smart technologies in governance. The interest of Somaliland in building digital infrastructure would be eased by knowledge-transfer programs with the UAE, paving the way for co-developments in technologies and digital economies.

Investment in the digital revolution would not only revolutionize governance systems in Somaliland but also lure investors and facilitate diversification of its economy.

Despite efforts of Somalia to restrict Somaliland’s inclusion in the international system, attendance in such a summit indicates that Somaliland is making independent diplomatic and economic linkages.

Somaliland’s attendance at the summit was a challenge to Somalia’s efforts to isolate it diplomatically. Contact with lead countries, financial institutions, and business heads strengthened recognition of the case of Somaliland and its legitimacy.

By making concrete security and economic partnerships, Somaliland is strengthening claims to recognition, making it more convincing day by day to be accepted in the international system. As a distant long-term objective, recognition is yet to be in sight, yet continued engagement in global forums enhances the credibility of Somaliland and brings it to a position of responsible self-reliant status.

Somaliland’s participation in the World Governments Summit 2025 was more than a diplomatic win—it was a powerful message that Somaliland is open to business, security partnerships, and digital innovations. It brought Somaliland’s engagements to a broader international sphere, created new channels of investments, established it in regional security, and created channels of digital governance.

From a strategic perspective, this summit was a turning point. It established that recognition is not a prerequisite to exercising influence. A country achieves its place in the international order through leadership, resilience, and vision of forward movement.

As long as Somaliland continues to invest in its economic potential, diplomatic flexibility, and security role, it will not only survive in isolation but also force the world to take note of its place in the pantheon of sovereign states. AS

Adam Daud Ahmed is a political security Analyst in the Horn of Africa.

Qaran News